On March 13th, Hawa Camara goes down to the lobby of the Bellagio hotel in Blois to receive a registered letter. The letter is signed by “Julie Thierry, chief of the Department of Child Welfare Services.” In the letter, it is stated that Ms. Camara and her child have been receiving accommodation paid for by the department since September 22, 2020. It also reminds her that, according to the Social Action and Families Code, the Department of Child Welfare Services provides support to pregnant women and single mothers with children under three who need material and psychological assistance, especially if they are homeless.
The letter then goes on to mention that since September 1, 2021, Ms. Camara has had her second child and later her third child, all recognized and declared by Mr. Mamadou Camara, who is also the father of her first child. The letter questions her status as a single mother, stating that it is not proven. It ends with an ultimatum – starting from April 1st, Ms. Camara must leave the Bellagio hotel or pay for accommodations. A total of 39 women have received similar letters, affecting a total of 76 children. There are cases of mothers with special needs children, a woman expecting twins, and others who will be left without housing on April 1.
Several lawyers have taken on the case, filing twenty-two requests for suspension with the Blois court to overturn these termination of support notices. They argue that having a biological father does not negate a mother’s status as being isolated. They point out cases where the fathers are not financially able to support the mothers, leaving them in vulnerable situations. The legal team is confident in their case and hopes for a favorable outcome to prevent these families from being left without housing.
The former Novotel, now known as the Bellagio, in La Chaussée-Saint-Victor, has been providing temporary accommodation for twenty unaccompanied minors, a few adult men, and twenty-nine single mothers with their children. The establishment primarily houses individuals from Africa. The hotel has been in decline for four years and no longer caters to tourists. The only client now is the department, providing shelter to those in need. The situation has sparked outrage among advocates who are working to prevent these families from being left homeless.
In response to the situation at the Bellagio, a collective called “Pas d’enfants à la rue 41” has been working to raise awareness and support for the families facing eviction. The group is advocating for a reconsideration of the decisions made by the Department of Child Welfare Services. The issue has highlighted the challenges faced by single mothers in accessing stable housing and support, especially when faced with financial constraints and limited resources. The legal battle continues as efforts are made to ensure that these families are not left without a place to stay.
